Frank Bates vs. Parker Messick — Career Comparison

Parker Messick built a career as a starting pitcher and Frank Bates as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Parker Messick posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.72 and WHIP 1.311 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Parker Messick had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.